Colonel Chris Knight hosted a promotional ceremony on August 25, 2006, at General Headquarters in Tallahassee, to promote Captains Jim Brierton and Richard Mechlin to the rank of major. Major Brierton will serve as Troop Commander in Troop E - Miami, and Major Mechlin will serve as Chief Training Officer at the FHP Training Academy. Their promotions become official on September 1, 2006.

Major Brierton and Major Mechlin’s both had families and friends present at the ceremony to celebrate the well-deserved promotions. Also in attendance were FHP colleagues and representatives from the remaining Divisions that make up the Department.

Major Brierton has been a member of the FHP since 1983 having served as a Lieutenant in Tallahassee from 1989-1992 and District Commander in Miami since 1992. Major Mechlin has been a member of the FHP since 1984 and has served as Captain and Lieutenant in the Accreditation Section in Tallahassee since 1984.